For
many this is just a temple, for finding solace, peace and quiet. Sitting
amongst Lord Krishna and his devotees with Hare Krishna chants going around
is indeed an experience. But for those who are seeking more, there is
so much to learn and see, than what meets the eye.
From a restaurant to a museum in the making, a library
and a special animatronics show, ISKCON has it all. While looking around
if you get hunger pangs, you need not go further than the completely vegetarian
restaurant Govinda.
The idea behind the upcoming museum is
to present Indian history in an interactive manner. Says Dina Nath Das,
the brain behind the entire show “it is important to present the story
of human evolution to the people, in the right manner. Thus the sound
and light presentations accompanied by huge relief and life-like figures
are bound to make an impact on an audience, far more than just an exhibition”.
The museum will be opened by August for those who want to see the best
of science and religion together.
Though the museum is being built, the artwork
and the concept behind it already seem impressive. The story begins on
the ground floor with the Bhagwat Gita. When you move on to the first
floor, you will be taken through the entire sequence of the Ramayana,
Mahabharata and the Shrimad Bhagwatam.
Not only this, but the museum is also planning
to create special section on Forbidden Archaeology. Says Dina Nath “Till
date, we all have sworn by Darwin’s theory of evolution. We all believe
that the humans came on the earth thousands of years ago. But what is
written in the Gita, or the Shrimad Bhagwatam has torn this theory to
shreds. For those who do not believe that humans have existed since the
universe was formed, evidences have been found of human footsteps along
with those of the dinosaurs. Apart from this, excavations have revealed
signs of human existence on pieces of land that have been in existence
since billions of years”.
Thus by creating this section, ISKCON aims
at having a better understanding among Indians about what was said in
the Gita and Shrimad Bhagwatam …that humans have been on this earth since
the universe came into existence.
 But
all this is yet to come…what exists today in the temple premises is the
Animatronics Centre. Through three different screens, you get to see how
the temple was formed, the idea behind it and the spread of the Hare Krishna
clan in many other countries. As the show ends, the main animatronics
begin. Created by using hi-end technology, the show is controlled by 3
computers networked together and connected to a remote control. One computer
controls the overall show, second one acts as the laser discs controller
and third one controls the movements of the robots. All 3 computers are
synchronized to time codes written on the laser discs, which are the three
3 hi-tech robots of Krishna, Arjuna and Srila Prabhupada, the founder
of ISKCON.
This is one place, which has been successful
in combining science and technology with religion. Even the books and
other information that have been displayed here are of interest to those
who love to wander in the premises.
ISKCON has thus emerged as a place loved
by those who would want to try out good vegetarian food, among architects,
philosophers, artists, and even tourists. Take your pick and venture into
a place that has lots to say, for those who want to hear.
ISKON – GOIEx
Sant Nagar Main Road,
East of Kailash
New Delhi 110065
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